U.S. Air Force 1st Special Operations Maintenance Squadron (1 SOMXS)
The U.S. Air Force 1st Special Operations Maintenance Squadron (1 SOMXS), based at Eglin Air Force Base, holds a pivotal position in both maintaining the operational readiness of Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) and in managing the enigmatic domain of Unidentified Flying Object (UFO) material transportation. This unique role places the squadron at the forefront of deciphering and handling unidentified anomalous phenomena, requiring a blend of expertise and discretion. The critical nature of the 1 SOMXS in these national security aspects is particularly highlighted by the recent events involving Congressman Matt Gaetz, Congressman Tim Burchett, and Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna, who faced challenges in obtaining full access to pertinent information during their investigative visit to Eglin AFB.
The U.S. Air Force 1st Special Operations Maintenance Squadron (1 SOMXS) plays a crucial role in maintaining the operational readiness of Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC). Located at Hurlburt Field, the 1 SOMXS is primarily responsible for ensuring the generation of safe, reliable, and combat-capable aircraft and equipment. This enables AFSOC to fulfill its mission effectively “Any Time, Any Place”.
Hurlburt Field Air Force Base is part of the larger Eglin Air Force Base (AFB) reservation in Florida. This arrangement is quite unique in that each base has its own housing, but military members from Eglin AFB can receive housing at Hurlburt Field, and vice versa.
As a United States Air Force installation, Hurlburt Field is integrated into the Eglin AFB reservation. It is notable for housing several important entities such as the Headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), the 1st Special Operations Wing (1 SOW), the USAF Special Operations School (USAFSOS), and the Air Combat Command’s (ACC) 505th Command and Control Wing.
Historically, Hurlburt Field was originally designated as Auxiliary Field No. 9, one of the small pilot and gunnery training fields that were part of the expansive Eglin AFB complex established in the 1940s. Over time, it has evolved to meet the changing needs of the military and now supports a broad range of operations and training activities.
Additionally, the 1st Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, a component of the 1 SOMXS, specifically focuses on the maintenance of special mission aircraft like the AC-130U Spooky and AC-130J Ghostrider gunships. This squadron acts as a force enabler, generating combat capability through the maintenance of these specialized aircraft.
The larger maintenance group that includes the 1 SOMXS is the 1st Special Operations Maintenance Group (1 SOMXG), one of the largest in the Air Force. This group supports the 1st Special Operations Wing (SOW) by meeting key objectives like mobilizing personnel, equipment, and supplies, training maintenance personnel, and sustaining combat readiness capabilities.
In addition to these, the 1st Special Operations Equipment Maintenance Squadron, part of this group, is committed to providing top-quality maintenance to the 1st Special Operations Wing. With more than 300 personnel, this squadron offers a wide range of essential maintenance services across five flights.
The 1st Special Operations Component Maintenance Squadron (1st SOCMS) provides organizational and intermediate-level repair capabilities for various aircraft, including the AC-130U Spooky, AC-130H Spectre, MC-130H Combat Talon II, MC-130P Combat Shadow, and CV-22B Osprey. This squadron’s expertise is vital in maintaining a diverse fleet of aircraft essential to AFSOC operations.
During a House Oversight Subcommittee hearing on July 26, 2023, Representative Matt Gaetz reported a Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) incident that drew his attention, stemming from a disclosure at Eglin Air Force Base. Accompanied by Representatives Burchett and Luna, Gaetz sought to access evidence and meet the flight crew involved in this incident. Despite initial restrictions, they were eventually able to view an image and meet with a crew member who captured it.
The image, according to Gaetz, depicted something beyond human capability, a statement supported by his experience on the Armed Services Committee and involvement with DARPA and advanced technologies. The flight crew member recounted a test mission over the Gulf of Mexico, where they encountered four crafts in a diamond formation, not expected in a designated clear airspace. When one pilot approached this formation, his radar and FLIR systems malfunctioned, forcing him to manually capture the image.
Gaetz emphasized the need for a cultural shift in how UAP experiences are reported within the military. He pointed out that pilots are often discouraged from reporting such incidents due to perceived career consequences. Concluding his remarks, Gaetz recommended secure meetings for in-depth discussion on these phenomena, access to radar images and flight crew-captured images for the committee, and the need for a more comprehensive approach to reporting and analyzing UAP incidents.
The disclosure of a UAP incident at Eglin Air Force Base, brought to light by Representative Matt Gaetz and accompanied by Representatives Tim Burchett and Anna Paulina Luna, significantly accentuates the role of the 1st Special Operations Maintenance Squadron in the realm of UFO phenomena. Confronting restricted access and operational confidentiality, as experienced by Gaetz, Burchett, and Luna, the 1 SOMXS is at the core of sensitive and complex operations. This situation underscores the squadron’s indispensable role in not only upholding combat readiness but also in navigating the secretive territory of UAPs. The incident calls for more open and structured methods in investigating UAPs, casting the 1 SOMXS as a key contributor, equipped with specialized skills and strategically based at Eglin AFB.
